A Spotlight on Everyday People

Douglass Says

Two years ago, art designer and fashion historian, Douglass Says sat down with Ark Republic (formerly the Bricks 350) to talk about his life growing up in Newark and his experiences in the fashion industry as an African American designer.

Douglass showcased several dresses in Newark’s Pop Up in 2016 that took place in the National Building on Broadway.

With over three decades in fashion, he is literally, a walking archive. In the interview, Douglass provides details of critical moments in Newark fashion, and mainstream fashion industry when black models caused an uproar in Paris.

To pay homage to his full career, and capture how fashion changes, every Spring, Douglass hosts a fashion show at the Newark Library.

From the fashion savvy of Newarkers to owning a business in New Jersey, Douglass documents his life through runways and couture.